Pakistan's budget transparency jumps 50%, outpaces regional peers

August 17, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's budget transparency score has climbed from 30 out of 100 in 2023 to 45 out of 100 in 2025, a 50% improvement over two years that brings the country level with the global average, according to the Open Budget Survey 2025 released by the International Budget Partnership (IBP).

The country's score now places it ahead of regional peers, including India at 44, Sri Lanka at 43, Bangladesh at 37, Nigeria at 24 and China at 19.

The findings were shared by Khurram Schehzad on his X account, who noted that the improvement is broad-based and concentrated in areas the IBP had flagged for improvement in its 2023 assessment.

The Executive Budget Proposal score rose from 43 to 57, the Enacted Budget score improved from 33 to 50, the Year-End Report previously published late reached a score of 52, and Public Participation strengthened from 15 to 22, moving Pakistan above both the global average of 17 and the Asia-Pacific average of 18.

The IBP specifically credited the timely online publication of the Year-End Report and more comprehensive disclosure in the Executive Budget Proposal for driving the gains.

 It attributed the progress in public participation to wider stakeholder consultations, clearer communication, pre- and post-budget engagement, and greater parliamentary input.

The improvement was further reinforced by a recent US State Department Fiscal Transparency assessment, which recognised several strengths in Pakistan's fiscal framework.

These included wide accessibility of the Enacted Budget and Year-End Report, substantially complete disclosure of planned revenues and expenditures, generally reliable budget information, independent audit oversight with substantive public findings, transparent frameworks for natural-resource awards and public procurement, and a sound legal framework governing the sovereign wealth fund.

Budget transparency strengthens accountability, institutional credibility and public trust by giving parliament, citizens, businesses and investors greater visibility into how public resources are raised, spent and accounted for.

Pakistan is expected to continue building on this progress through more timely, comprehensive and accessible fiscal information, alongside stronger public and parliamentary engagement.

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